When voting ended Saturday morning, they were all staring up at surfing sensation Maddie Peterson.

The 15-year-old Wildwood Crest native netted a tremendous amount of support in a process that featured more than 12,000 total votes cast. Peterson picked up 47 percent of the votes, vaulting ahead of St. Augustine running back Lamont Harris (39 percent) and St. Joe sophomore sensation Sa'Laam Horne (12 percent).

Peterson earned her first professional surfing victory last Sunday at the Foster’s Belmar Pro Surfing Contest. She cruised into first place with a score of nine on her final wave of the competition.

Oakcrest soccer player Courtney DeFalco and Cherry Hill West football playmaker Rodney Williams were also among the list of candidates.

Be sure to look for a new list of Athlete of the Week candidates every Thursday. Vote early and often through Saturday mornings. Tyler Donohue will announce the winner Saturdays at 11 a.m. on The South Jersey Sports Report (9-noon).